Morning arrived as it was expected to
Noel groggily opened his eyes .
*Yawn….. yawn….
"Man I surely had a good sleep last night," Noel murmured and looked towards the window .
"The city below his window had changed tones from neon glow to washed-out daylight.
Vendors setting up. Rankers moving with purpose. Ordinary people rushing to jobs that had nothing to do with mana, monsters, or survival.
He stared at the black card again.
Aeternis.
He had turned it over a hundred times already.
"I shouldn't think about it too much. But how can I stop thinking about as Aeternis is the 2 highest ranked guild in Asia .
The decision hadn't come for him even after he thought so much about it but at the same time he also felt it wouldn't be too bad to have some persons to keep their back in check .
"A small smile formed on Noel's face.He didn't have to do everything alone, Noel thought .
"And maybe just maybe not everyone offering help was trying to use him.
Whossh
"let's go for now
With that Noel pocketed the card and left.
At the Guild Headquarters
Aeternis headquarters didn't scream wealth.
It radiated it quietly.
Clean stone. Minimalist architecture. Glass reflecting the sky. Security barriers subtle enough that most wouldn't notice them .
"Noel spread his spatial perception, a basic skill that everyone has that has a profession related to space .And in his view a dangerous site presented .
Everywhere he looked small tiny circles were made all over the building and they were connected with a core of it that was not visible.
"Sweat was falling from Noel's neck showing that he was really afraid.
"Likely hidden and by the arrangements he can say if he gets trapped inside there would be no way out .
"Dragonshit why they have put so many countermeasures and if I can see them means they aren't kept to be hidden and that too terrifies me . Noel thought internally.
Noel took first step forward . No no. Let's go back .
"Noel standing there hesitated at the entrance.
"Should I go inside or not he fell into a dilemma just then.
A memory surfaced.
Walking into places where people already judged him.
Measured him.
Decided he wasn't worth anything.
His hand tightened slightly.
"…Just walk in." A voice sounded in his ears.
"So he did.Meeting Again
Seraphina was waiting in a lounge overlooking the training grounds.
"No formal hall no intimidating office.
Just comfortable seating and sunlight pouring through wide windows.
"She looked and by seeing Noel a smile formed on her face .
"Morning.""She said casually .
Noel replied,"Morning."
"An awkward pause followed — the kind that happens when two people don't know how formal they're supposed to be.
She gestured to the chair opposite her.
"You look tired." Seraphina said .
"Didn't sleep much.""Because of the offer?"
"…Yeah." Noel said .
She didn't press further. Just leaned back slightly.
After a long silence .
Noel exhaled slowly. And said
"I kept thinking about why you asked me."
Seraphina tilted her head slightly.
"And?"
"I still don't fully get it."
A small smile appeared.
"That's fair."
She clasped her hands together, considering her words.
"I didn't recruit you because of your rank."
He raised an eyebrow.
"That's obvious."
She laughed softly — genuine amusement.
"Good. Then I don't have to pretend otherwise."
Silence settled again, comfortable this time.
She continued:
"You're inexperienced. Your control is rough. Your instincts are untrained."
He winced.
"Thanks."
"But," she added, "you survived something most wouldn't. Alone. While adapting to abilities that should've overwhelmed you."
Noel didn't respond immediately.
Because that part… wasn't something he processed as impressive.
"It was just pain fear Luck.
"I wasn't brave," he said quietly.
"I just didn't want to die."
Seraphina's expression softened.
"That's usually what bravery actually looks like."
He stared out the window at rankers sparring below.
"I've spent most of my life being measured."
He spoke carefully.
"Family expectations. Rankings. Comparisons."
He paused.
"When I lost everything… I thought I'd finally be free of that."
He gave a faint, humorless smile.
"Turns out the whole world measures people."
Seraphina nodded slowly."Guilds included."
He met her gaze.
"So tell me honestly.?
"If I join… am I just another asset?"
She didn't answer immediately.She didn't dodge either.
"Yes."
"That surprised him.But she continued."Every member contributes something. Strength, strategy, knowledge."
"Then she leaned forward slightly."But that's not all they are."
Her voice softened.
"You'll train here. Grow here. Fight beside people who rely on you and who you'll rely on."
A pause.
"I don't collect tools or assets, I want people with real emotions, not some robotic people.
Something in Noel relaxed.
He scratched the back of his neck.
"I also got an offer from another guild.""Oh?"
"Helix Dominion."
She didn't react dramatically.Just a small nod. And continiued
"They would."
"That's it? . You expected outrage?"
"…Maybe?"
She smiled faintly.
"Noel, you're allowed to choose your own path."
Allowed.
He hadn't heard that in a long time.The Decision Silence stretched.Warm sunlight filled the space.
Noel reached into his pocket.Pulled out the card.Held it between his fingers.
"I don't know what I'll become."
He admitted it plainly.
"I don't know how strong I'll get. Or if I'll mess this up."
Seraphina waited, not interrupting him .He set the card on the table. And said
"…But I'd like to find out here."
A small breath left her — almost relieved, though she hid it well.
"Welcome to Aeternis, Noel Arvind
Seraphina stood."Well."
"Noel blinked."That's it?"
"That's it."
He waited.
She tilted her head toward the training grounds.
"Now we work."He groaned softly.
"Already?"
"You're a chronomancer who is just a rookie even if I don't have deep knowledge about chronomnacy but still I can still guide you at your level .
"…You really don't sugarcoat things." Noel said, hearing Seraphina's description of him .
She smirked.
"No point."
"He stood anyway despite the nerves despite the uncertainty.
"There was also something else excitement real excitement.
They walked toward the training sector together.
"Rankers moved aside instinctively for Seraphina. Some glanced curiously at Noel.
"He felt their eyes but this time…He didn't shrink.
Because this wasn't borrowed status.
This was a choice he made.
Seraphina stopped near the sparring arena.
"First lesson," she said.
"Let's see what your time manipulation actually looks like under guidance."
Noel rolled his shoulders.
"…Alright."
For the first time since gaining his powers—
He wasn't experimenting blindly.He was about to train
To improve
To become something more.